The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-07
KNIGHTS AND ANARCHISTS.
Powderly Thinks the Bomb Thrower
Should be Hung.

MINNEAPoLIs, MINI, Oct. 6.-The
Knights of Labor convention met at 9:l5
o'clock this morning, and after tribute to
the memory of the late Thomas Armstrong,
editor of the National Labor Tribune,
which was expressed in n speech by General
Master Powderly, and the appointment of a
committee to take suitable action, the con-
vention resumed consideration of the
credentials and protests, which scon-
sumed most of the day.
immediately after o'clock Mr.. Powderly
began the reading of his annual address,
and did not conclude till about $50. The
address fills sixty-four pages of ordinary
pamphlet, and contains about so, 900 words.
KNIGHTS AND ANARCHY.
He took up the question of the atti-
tude of the Knights of Labor toward an
archy, with regard to which he said:
The relation Of the order to anarchy has taken
up so much space in the public press, and has
been the subject of so much discussion in the
assemblies of some large cities that it is proper
TO speak of it here and report to you my doings
in connection Herewith
SOCIALISM AND ANARCHY.
Let me say here that have never as has been
so much asserted in the press Of the land, con
founded socialism with anarchy. | draw a
wide line of distinction between the two, as
every reading thinking man must. will ask
of the General Assembly TO define the position
of the order on the attempts that have been
made to prostitute 1t to such base uses as the
Anarchists would put it. | have never pub
licly uttered sentiment regarding the course
of the seven men condemned to death
in ChicagO-this is written Sept. TO- 1851 will
now give my opinion: If these men did not
have fair trial such as is guaranteed every
man IN the United States, then they should be
granted new trial II they have not been
found guilty of murder they should not be
hanged. If they are to be hanged for the
action of others if NOT inst The
man whoI threw the bomb in Chicago
should be hanged and his accomplices should
receive the punishment allotted to such ofenses
by the laws of the State of Illinois. All letters
relating to the anarchy subject were quoted by
Mr.. Powderly at length.
THE DENVER ROW.
The Denver questions were given in
full, and of that matter Mr.. Powderly
said: l regarded the whole affair as an
outrage and the questions as being i'm
pertinent, rascally, and prompted by malice
or revenge. The resolution, which should pass,
is one to demand that every avowed Anarchist
be obliged to withdraw from the order or be
expelled. We have nothing to fear from trade
unions, but everything TO fear from the CON
taminating influence of men who preach de
structiOn in the name of our order, and who at
the same time, assert that they are Socialists
while giving the lie to every principle of
socialism when they advocate violence Of any
kind
THE HOME CLUB.
After referring to the "home club" of
New York, and his supposed connection
with it, and to the resolution adopted at
Richmond for the expulsion of the cigar
makers, which he said he thought unconsti-
tutional and void, Mr.. Powderly made a
number of recommendations, among which
were that the Knights of Labor ask
Congress to create department of
labor in Washington; that the next
Congress be also asked TO act on a bill for
- AI
ton with the postal service; that the order
have journal published under it's control
and put into the hands of every member;
and that systematic rules be adopted for
State and Territorial, mixed and trades as
sembles With regard to socialism Mr..
Powderly said:
Phillip Van Patten sent me a card of member
ship in the Socialistic organization in August,
1891 but never took any action ON II and merely
kept il as n mementO. | saw that the decara-
ton of principles of the Knights of Labor con
tanned all of the socialism that ] cared to
advocate never cast a vote for the candidates
of that party, was never member of anyof its
sections, and had no connection with it except
in the manner related above. The use of fire
arms or dynamite is not advocated by the So
cialists. Conhscation of property or distribution
of wealth. or in fact the beStowing OF wealth CT
money upon those who have not worked and
earned it, is not socialism, it is robbery, 1t is
raDine and no sane advocate
such doctrines If believing in the declaration
of all the principles of this order makes Of me
a Socialist then have no denials to make: but
that | am a member of any other society in
which questions of labor or reform are discussed
! do deny.
Mr.. Powderly condemned the practice of
caucusing and lobbying on the part of
members of the order, and in conclusion
stated his perfect willingness to withdraw
from the Office if the assembly so desired.
Some very wholesome advice was given re
garding the proper attitude of the members
of the order toward their officers, and as to
the best way of conducting the business of
the convention.